Number of tracks... How many you need?

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Markku wrote:Those of you who have large track numbers, can you check/estimate how many are active on the same time in busy sections? I'm just interested how hard it is to EQ your projects (unless someone has perfect pre-selection of sounds, each bandpassed to exact areas).
Sometimes I have about 20-30 going at one time. I suck at mixing, so this has been a challenge. I use hard panning to separate similar sounds when I'm building multiple tracks for thick sounds (effected guitar, for example). I have learned to cut frequencies out of tracks that aren't necessary (like low cuts and high cuts), but I'm not really great at it; I don't cut things other than highs and lows, and I certainly have never built a song by specifically choosing ranges of frequencies for each track so that everything stands in its own EQ space, like supposedly is a good idea to do... :oops:
- dysamoria.com
my music @ SoundCloud

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donkey tugger wrote:
skipscada wrote:+100 tracks, but through a managable number of busses. Many also mix per section, which means the number of active tracks at any given time will usually be a lot lower.
:o

Blimey, I start getting confused when it's over 25 (usually in the 15-40 range, depending on what it is). That's a hell of a lot of tracks!
Sorry for the telegram style. I meant "Yes, pro mixers use +100 tracks ..."

Personally I don't think I've ever gone beyond 40 even counting 8-10 channels inside EZdrummer, multed parts (mult = chopping one track into several bits and arranging them in several tracks), haas effects and similar, effect tracks, perc hits liberally split between many tracks etc. Nowadays I can never spend much time on a track if I want to finish it, so I'm usually down to a bare minimum of a handful of tracks + drums. But I'm fully aware that adding layers, splitting into segments, multing etc. would make my tracks better in many cases, at least in electric guitar based tracks with vocals.

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As many as required, which usually ranges from about 50 to 65 for me.

I usually write Gospel and non-modern R&B/Soul music. Lead and background vocals can easily consume over 25 tracks with doubles, adlibs, harmonies, etc. Furthermore, I typical use about 8 to 12 individual tracks for drums which are triggered from a Roland electronic drum set.

As a proficient guitarist, I also generally add several lead and/or rhythm guitar tracks. If live horns are used, which I can play the several brass instruments (trumpet, flugelhorn and valve trombone), another 4 to 9 tracks might be added for harmonies and doubles. Keyboard and synth tracks vary greatly, depending on the arrangement.

Overall, things can add up quickly, which is why I love collaborating with other local like-minded musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers and singers.

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